Dominique Johnson

As the CT Mirror’s budget reporter pointed out: “The state House of Representatives adopted a $55.8 billion two-year budget early Tuesday that invests in child care and K-12 education, provides a $250 tax cut to working poor families...”  Tax relief for working families; investing in education and special education; transformative funding for childcare and early childhood education; and standing up for nonprofit service providers are the pillars of the next state budget.

Our budget reflects shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare. It strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported. These organizations are on the frontlines every day, serving our most vulnerable neighbors. This budget affirms and reinforces their vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

This budget stands up for:

HISTORIC NEW FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

• $40 million for Excess Cost Grant in each of next two years
• $30 million for Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program
• $20 million in bonding to expand and upgrade special education facilities
• $10 million in bonding for capital development
• $10 million for Governor's Incentive District Grant
• Hold harmless funding for Education Cost Sharing, so no school district sees a cut

CHILDCARE

• Investible trust to provide sustainable funding for new childcare programs
• Funding for direct healthcare of our children through DSS Medicaid

NONPROFIT PROVIDERS

• Access to better health care and nonprofit community providers
• $150 million for groups homes and nursing homes
• More than $60 million in Medicaid rate increases, which will benefit nonprofit providers 

TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES

• Targeted, meaningful relief and long-term support for working families
• Refundable tax credit of $250 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) framework
• $500 refundable tax credit for home daycare owners that recognizes and sustains the vital care workforce
• Tax credit for employers who contribute to their employees' CHET accounts

This is a budget that works for the people — one that safeguards essential services, uplifts communities, and lays the foundation for a future where every resident is supported and protected.

Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality childcare. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and invest in a stronger future for our children and our economy. These smart, sustainable investments position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high-quality childcare and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032.

The bills:
 
Provide a Sustainable Investment

• Fund the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in childcare now and in the future

Lower Costs and Increase Access

• Childcare and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 and families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of income
• Add 16,000 new childcare and Pre-K slots across the state
• Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs

Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators

• Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers
• Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators   

This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster recruitment and retention of childcare educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities. These bills represent a transformational step forward in Connecticut’s commitment to children and their future

Our veterans deserve more than just our gratitude, they deserve real, accessible support. With bipartisan support, the House of Representatives has passed final portion of the CT Hero Act through House Bill 6438, a crucial step toward strengthening and expanding the services veterans rely on.
 
The CT Hero Act is our commitment to ensuring services for those who’ve served our country. By improving how Connecticut delivers veterans' service, this bill ensures every veteran can access the benefits and support they have earned.

Key provisions of this bill include: 

• Making it easier for disabled veterans to qualify for state benefits: exempting veteran disability pay as an income requirement for certain state benefits
• Hiring more state employees to help connect veterans to their benefits: hiring veteran service officers to this Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in qualifying for the VA disability claims.
• Guaranteeing free college tuition for disabled veterans: preventing higher ed institutions from charging fees
• Making it easier for veterans to qualify for free legal service: exempting veteran disability pay from an income requirement when determining access to public defenders.
• Making it easier for veterans and veteran own businesses to qualify for loans through D.E.C.D.
• Directing the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to study: claim sharks and the municipal veterans representative program.

This measure reaffirms Connecticut’s commitment to honoring our veterans and standing with those who have served.

House Democrats passed two Transportation bills this weekend that reflect Connecticut’s commitment to safer streets, smarter infrastructure, and modernized services.
The provisions in the legislation include:

• Increasing state funding to our local transit districts, helping local governments apply for federal grants
• Stronger DUI and BUI (boating) penalty
• Improving pedestrian safety in new crosswalks
• Updating helmet rules on bikes and motorcycles for young people
• 50% fare discount to seniors, veterans, minors, and the disabled on state-owned buses
• Creating a “yellow envelope” program to improve interactions between the police and people with disabilities
• Designating Special Service Road 495 in Meriden as the "Andrew DiDomenico Memorial Highway" and Bridge No. 01241 in Southington as the "State Trooper First Class Aaron M. Pelletier Memorial Bridge"

Attention Westport residents - Westport Animal Control was notified of a coyote incident that occurred in the community on May 27. 
 
To protect your family pets, take the following measures:

• Supervise your pets while they are out in the yard.
• While out at night with your pets, carry a powerful flashlight and keep tabs on your surroundings.
• Coyotes can be successfully hazed or driven away using noise (high-decibel whistle or air-horn) or thrown objects (balls, sticks, rocks).
• If you are walking a small pet and see a coyote, pick the pet up. Any time you are with your pet and see a coyote, give them a wide berth. You should gradually retreat but maintain situational awareness (keep eyes on) and be assertive and noisy (yelling or using whistle).
• While at home, a fenced enclosure is the best way to prevent unexpected wildlife encounters. Deer fences are designed to keep out deer, but they do a poor job of excluding smaller species (like coyotes). Coyotes and other animals can often slip under deer fences.
• Motion-sensitive lights can help alert homeowners to wild intruders at night and can help deter coyotes.
• Pets smaller than 30 pounds are at serious risk from coyotes, but coyotes will tussle with larger pets on occasion. Even larger pets will benefit from supervision.
• It is important to remember that coyotes can be active day or night.

Connecticut State Police are warning all of us of a new text message scam involving a phony traffic ticket. The criminals pretend to be with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and claim the recipient has an outstanding traffic ticket that must be paid immediately.
 
If you receive a text like the one below, DO NOT click on the link. It leads to a fraudulent website where your personal and financial information can be stolen.
 
 
Here are some tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to avoid being a victim of these types of scam:

• Do not respond to the text or click any links. State DMVs would not ask for your information or money by text.
• If you think the message might be real, contact your state's DMV using a trusted phone number or website.
• Copy the text message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM). This will help your wireless provider spot and block similar messages.
• Report the text on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam.
• Report the text to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and/or file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

 
 If you did click the link and experienced a financial loss, please contact your local law enforcement as soon as possible.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 399 invites all veterans to a Veterans Benefits Luncheon on Thursday, June 12th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 465 Riverside Avenue, Westport. This free event is open to all veterans as part of an outreach effort to check in on veterans’ welfare and connect them with the benefits and support they have earned.

Everyone is welcome. Whether you’re a veteran or you know someone who served, this is a chance to enjoy lunch, learn more about available veterans’ benefits, and connect with other members of the veteran community in a relaxed and supportive setting.

The event is part of VFW Post 399’s ongoing mission to serve those who have served. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.

RSVPs are encouraged, but NOT required to help with planning. Please email vfw399ct@gmail.com and include the number of attendees in your message or call VFW Post 399 at (203) 227-6796.